Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Reflux during the night



Recommended Posts

I have been on reflux medicine for years. It has always bothered me during the day. For the past 6 months, it has moved to nights. My PCM has changed my meds and I am now trying a 3rd as of today. I literally wake up some nights choking on acid.

I have a wedge under my mattress to keep my head elevated. I finish eating and taking medicine at least 2 hours before I go to bed. I finish drinking about 1.5 hours before I go to bed. I have to eat very small meals and make sure I don't have any PBs during the day or I know I am in for a LONG night. I need to drink more Water because I know that helps and I am working on it.

I don't think it is related to my lap-band but I thought I would see if anyone is having similar troubles. My lap-band doctor said he would have been worried that it was a slip if it happened consistently but it doesn't.

Any thoughts?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites
Guest Ursulaa

It has everything to due with our lapband. I had my operation in December 2008, and my reflux started just 4 months ago. Zantac helps... I can't eat before noon.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Night reflux is a sign of being too tight in many cases. Have you tried going to get .1 or .2 taken out to see if it solves the problem? or Maybe you have a hiatial hernia? .....just tossing a couple thoughts out there....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Sounds like you are already doing a lot to alleviate your symptoms. Ellivating head when sleeping, not eating 2 hours before bed, etc. Also make sure to avoid caffeine and greasy foods. They will trigger the reflux.

If you are too tight it will cause reflux. Or, like me, you could have a hiatal hernia.

I had an EGD and was diagnosed with esophagitis and a hiatal hernia. So I am doing a lot of the things you are doing and it has all but alleviated my symptoms. I am trying to avoid surgery to repair.

I would recommend having .2cc removed. It is amazing what just a teensy tiny unfill can do for reflux. If all the things you are doing aren't giving you relief... you are probably just a smudge too tight.

Good luck!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks everyone! I have gone back and forth over that last year with my band more empty than full. I am now back up to 4ccs. I am going next week to go up a little more but that will be it due to the reflux.

I am completely off reflux meds right now and never have issues. I have gained a great deal of weight back during this year partially due to this but also because I stopped my Wellbutrin. I am back on Wellbutrin and losing again.

We, the surgeon and I, have just got to find the right fill in the band. I don't want to go back on meds for reflux so if I get a fill and start having trouble again, I will come back to 4ccs and stay.

Thanks for you input!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I would caution against adding more Fluid with the issues you are having. Be sure your Dr realizes the extent of the reflux. I am surprised he is willing to add more fill with your reflux issues. Be safe!! Hang in there.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi all! I have had acid reflux since preband bad. I am on strong meds that i take in the morning. Sometimes i will take a 2nd at night if really bad. I am really tight at 6.7 cc's. I have to reset with 2 days of liquid/mushies to help with acid reflux. I am finding that some foods some days are harder than others. I love spices and find that i need to stay away from them when my acid refux is bad. Once i hit goal i wil get a slight unfill. Also coffee etc... Are bad for reflux. Take it easy!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery back in '03. Lost 100 lbs and felt ready to lose more. Went back to the doctor & he added only .25cc & that caused all the hell I have been through in the past 4 years! I would wake at night with food in my nose & choking/couldn't breathe. I had moved so found a new doctor after a year of major GERD. My band was so tight food was passing thru the size of a pin. I was drained & told my surgery would need to be re-done & band replaced. Try getting insurance to approve that! During this time I gained back 65 lbs. I decided to get a 2nd opinion & my new doctor said let's start back at putting in Fluid to where you had success. I had joined Weight Watchers & lost 15 lbs, but the heartburn is still there....just not as bad. All this over .25cc!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had my surgery 3 years ago. I lost 50 lbs and have been trying to lose 50 more. I got a fill on Tuesday and I have had reflux and heartburn ever since. Does anyone know if this will clear up on its own or do I need to get the extra Fluid removed. This isn't the first time I have had problems but the band seems to be really working for me again except for this heartburn. I hate to have fluid removed and lose the retriction I have now. Poor pitiful me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I also have Gelisul with me all the time and it works great!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi I have had acid reflux for years even affecting my vocal chord.I had it before I got banded but after banding the stomach got better but it was worse in my throat /vocal chord.so i went back to my stomach dr and he has me alternating omneprozole before Breakfast then sulcrafate before lunch then omneprozole before dinner and finish up at the end of the day with sulcrafate before bed and my voice is sooo much better.try this i think it will help you.let me know.I know how it is to suffer withh this.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have been on reflux medicine for years. It has always bothered me during the day. For the past 6 months' date=' it has moved to nights. My PCM has changed my meds and I am now trying a 3rd as of today. I literally wake up some nights choking on acid.

I have a wedge under my mattress to keep my head elevated. I finish eating and taking medicine at least 2 hours before I go to bed. I finish drinking about 1.5 hours before I go to bed. I have to eat very small meals and make sure I don't have any PBs during the day or I know I am in for a LONG night. I need to drink more Water because I know that helps and I am working on it.

I don't think it is related to my lap-band but I thought I would see if anyone is having similar troubles. My lap-band doctor said he would have been worried that it was a slip if it happened consistently but it doesn't.

Any thoughts?[/quote']

It has everything to do with your band. You might be too tight. Call your doctor and treat the cause, not the symptoms. In the meantime, since I've been there, done that, try the following:

1) take your ppi on an empty stomach at least 2 hours prior to your last meal of the day. For me, that means between 3-4pm. I have a reminder set on my phone to do this. A ppi at bedtime and Water will make the acid worse, not better.

2)eat at least 4 hours prior to bedtime, stop water intake 2 hours before. Get your water intake up during the day. I try to get 64 oz in before dinner and 16 oz after.

It's pointless to treat gerd without attempting to find the cause. When this started happening to me last summer, it was an early sign of big problems.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×